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Maine is making significant progress in its efforts to expand energy storage, a crucial component of renewable energy infrastructure. This comes at a time when the incoming Trump administration is expected to slow down clean energy projects. However, energy storage has not been as politicized as other forms of renewable energy, making it a promising avenue for growth.
Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, has signed into law ambitious targets for energy storage in Maine, with the goal of having 400 megawatts of installed storage capacity by 2030. This is a significant step towards reducing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels and achieving its climate goals. Maine is also one of the first states to enact storage goals, with more states expected to follow suit.
While there were concerns about the pace of progress in achieving these targets, the governor’s office has assured that a procurement design study will be submitted to the Maine Public Utilities Commission by the end of this month. This will pave the way for the implementation of storage projects that will enhance the state’s electric grid, provide load flexibility, and help stabilize energy prices.
The state has also secured competitive grants to support energy storage projects, including a $147 million federal grant. This will help Massachusetts, which is facing similar challenges, to develop its own storage infrastructure. Overall, Maine’s efforts in energy storage are a positive development for the state’s clean energy future and could serve as a model for other states to follow.